Growing concerned that Akatsuki would be coming after them now that they probably knew the island's location, Aoba wondered what plan of action they should take next. Motoi told them that that it was unlikely they would find the island because unlike other islands, the one they were on was constantly moving. Surprised by reassured, Aoba and Yamato then turn their attention to Naruto and tried to keep him busy by having him take a survey of the island's native animal population as an "''[[S-rank]] mission''". When Akatsuki eventually did find the island and attacked, Aoba convinces Naruto that the explosions that were happening outside were actually earthquakes while Aoba and the others investigated outside. There they found [[Kurotsuchi]] [[Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique|restraining]] [[Kabuto Yakushi]]. Acting immediately, Aoba moved to read Kabuto's mind as he had done with Kisame, but upon approaching Kabuto on a [[Wood Release: Wood Spikes Ring|wooden bridge]] created by Yamato, Kabuto [[Body Shedding|escaped]], pushing Aoba into Kurotsuchi's quicklime lava. After the [[Third Tsuchikage]] arrived on the scene and helped to free Aoba, Aoba tried to reassure the Tsuchikage that it wouldn't be easy to get information out of Yamato but the Tsuchikage stated that [[Tobi]] possessed a very powerful [[dōjutsu]] and as such it wasn't a matter or whether or not Yamato wanted to divulge the alliance's intelligence. Aoba later marvelled at the Tsuchikage as he [[Flight Technique|carried]] the entire island to [[Kumogakure]].

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Growing concerned that Akatsuki would be coming after them now that they probably knew the island's location, Aoba wondered what plan of action they should take next. Motoi told them that that it was unlikely they would find the island because unlike other islands, the one they were on was constantly moving. Surprised by reassured, Aoba and Yamato then turn their attention to Naruto and tried to keep him busy by having him take a survey of the island's native animal population as an "''[[S-rank]] mission''". When Akatsuki eventually did find the island and attacked, Aoba convinces Naruto that the explosions that were happening outside were actually earthquakes while Aoba and the others investigated outside. There they found [[Kurotsuchi]] [[Lava Release: Quicklime Congealing Technique|restraining]] [[Kabuto Yakushi]]. Acting immediately, Aoba moved to read Kabuto's mind as he had done with Kisame, but upon approaching Kabuto on a [[Wood Release: Wood Spikes Ring|wooden bridge]] created by Yamato, Kabuto [[Orochimaru-style Body Replacement Technique|escaped]], pushing Aoba into Kurotsuchi's quicklime lava. After the [[Third Tsuchikage]] arrived on the scene and helped to free Aoba, Aoba tried to reassure the Tsuchikage that it wouldn't be easy to get information out of Yamato but the Tsuchikage stated that [[Tobi]] possessed a very powerful [[dōjutsu]] and as such it wasn't a matter or whether or not Yamato wanted to divulge the alliance's intelligence. Aoba later marvelled at the Tsuchikage as he [[Flight Technique|carried]] the entire island to [[Kumogakure]].

Personality

Aoba has a somewhat laid-back and jovial personality most of the time, often joking with others around him. He is also prone to panicking at times, but when the situation calls for it he is decisive, calm, and collected. Aoba is also mentioned to be an honour student as well as an inside benkei, which is a haughty and boastful person in private, while having a more reserved demeanour in public.[2]

Appearance

Aoba has dark, spiky hair and is always seen wearing red-framed sunglasses which obscures his eyes. He wears the standard Konoha shinobi outfit complete with flak jacket and forehead protector, the latter of which is worn slightly tilted to the left.

As a child, Aoba wore his signature glasses along with a black shirt, with an orange, gear-like marking around the collar.[4][5]

Abilities

Aoba has demonstrated knowledge and aptitude in a wide cross-area of techniques which he uses with great proficiency in whatever the given situation. These range from gathering intelligence to summoning a flock of crows to blind his foes and hide his team-mate's movements.

Aoba using Scattering Thousand Crows Technique.

His Scattering Thousand Crows Technique involves manifesting a murder of crows which he can command with hand gestures. The crows are primarily used to swarm the enemy, hindering their view and seem to be dispelled in a puff of smoke like shadow clones when struck but can also be used for scouting and offensive attacks. These can also be used tactically as seen when he used them to disguise Raidō Namiashi's movements. While fighting Kakuzu, it was also shown that he is adept at taijutsu able to hold his own against the Akatsuki member while his team-mates retreated to safety. In the anime, during the invasion of Konoha, it is shown that he is also able to use Fire Release using the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique against the invading Oto and Suna shinobi.[6] During that same invasion, he was also one of the Konoha shinobi that were able to dispel the genjutsu that Kabuto Yakushi had cast on the arena. He has also shown the ability to send his chakra through a medium to be used as a paralysing agent on his foe. Though by his own admission, not as yet skilled as veterans with its use, Aoba is also able to delve into a person's mind.[7] In the anime, it was revealed that he can read a person's mind even while not physically touching the target, once that thought or feeling is strong enough.[8] Aoba has also shown a high level of intelligence able to carefully analyse situation even under great pressure.

Part I

Chūnin Exam Arc

Aoba made his début in a meeting called by the Third Hokage and the Konoha Council alongside other jōnin-level shinobi where they discussed Hayate Gekkō's death and Orochimaru's possible involvement. Though some wanted the examinations to be cancelled as they were wary of what was to come, the Third told them that he had the utmost trust in all of them, and if the time ever came, he knew they would assemble their strength and fight alongside him.

Konoha Invasion Arc

Aoba attacking the invading shinobi.

During the commencement of the invasion of Konoha, Aoba was one of the shinobi able to cancel the sleep-inducing genjutsu that had been cast on the people at the arena. He identified Kabuto Yakushi — who was disguised as a Konoha ANBU — as the person who had cast the genjutsu. He then engaged the enemy forces alongside his comrades. In the anime, he used the Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique to attack several of the enemy shinobi at once. He later stood alongside Kurenai Yūhi, Kakashi Hatake and Might Guy after they had defeated the invading shinobi and later attended Third's funeral, where he mourned his loss.

Search for Tsunade Arc

After he heard the news that Itachi Uchiha had returned to Konoha looking for Naruto Uzumaki, he burst into Kakashi's room and inadvertently informed Sasuke Uchiha of the occurrence, which caused Sasuke to rush from the room in search of his brother. The jōnin, who seemingly had not wanted Sasuke to know about this were visibly exasperated. Later after Tsunade returned to the village and accepted the title of Hokage, Aoba along with Genma were given the task of announcing her inauguration as the Fifth to the village by Koharu Utatane.

Part II

Hidan and Kakuzu Arc

Aoba and his team deploy.

Aoba is assigned to the Nijū Shōtai — a special platoon created to track and capture Akatsuki members. In the anime, they scoped out a known Akatsuki hideout where they encountered an associate of the organisation. They took the man into custody and then laid in wait at the hideout in the hopes that someone would show up there. With no luck on their stake-out, they later received a message from Asuma's team and rushed to provide backup when they are informed that they had made contact with an Akatsuki team. Once there, Aoba used his Scattering Thousand Crows Technique to obscure Hidan and Kakuzu's field of vision which gave Raidō an opportunity to attack them with his Kokutō as well as the chance for them to get Asuma's team to safety. He then fought briefly with Kakuzu to prevent him from getting to Asuma until the Akatsuki pair retreated. He and Raidō stood by watching as Asuma imparted his final words to his students and later attended his funeral.

Adventures at Sea Arc

Confining the Jinchūriki Arc

In the anime, Aoba was present at the war council meeting that Tsunade convened and was later selected as one of the shinobi sent to an isolated island in the Land of Lightning as Naruto's bodyguard. On the boat ride there, he tended to a seasick Might Guy. Once on the island and Guy gets his bearings they went with Motoi to the Falls of Truth, after he informed them that Naruto had gone there to learn how to control the Nine-Tails. Guy expressed the desire to undergo the same training as Naruto so he tried to channel his inner self at the falls. Aoba joked to Motoi that Guy's inner self probably wasn't human and both are shocked when this appeared to be true when a blowfish-like creature appeared from behind the falls to seemingly confront Guy. After they realised that this was actually Kisame Hoshigaki however, Aoba tried to stop him with his Secret Technique: Stone Needles but only created an easy opportunity for Kisame to absorb his chakra which caused Aoba to collapse.

Aoba interrogating Kisame.

When Aoba recovered he went after Kisame with the others, finding that he had already been captured and beaten unconscious by Guy. While Yamato restrained Kisame, Aoba delved into his mind in an attempt to gather information on Akatsuki. Before he could garner any useful information, Kisame forced himself to regain consciousness by biting his tongue, which shocked Aoba. Before they could respond, Kisame committed suicide by summoning sharks to devour his body. Deciding to check just how much Kisame knew by opening the scroll he had left behind, they unintentionally activated a booby-trap and the shinobi are imprisoned while a shark swam away with the scroll.

Aoba attempts to read Kabuto's mind.

Growing concerned that Akatsuki would be coming after them now that they probably knew the island's location, Aoba wondered what plan of action they should take next. Motoi told them that that it was unlikely they would find the island because unlike other islands, the one they were on was constantly moving. Surprised by reassured, Aoba and Yamato then turn their attention to Naruto and tried to keep him busy by having him take a survey of the island's native animal population as an "S-rank mission". When Akatsuki eventually did find the island and attacked, Aoba convinces Naruto that the explosions that were happening outside were actually earthquakes while Aoba and the others investigated outside. There they found KurotsuchirestrainingKabuto Yakushi. Acting immediately, Aoba moved to read Kabuto's mind as he had done with Kisame, but upon approaching Kabuto on a wooden bridge created by Yamato, Kabuto escaped, pushing Aoba into Kurotsuchi's quicklime lava. After the Third Tsuchikage arrived on the scene and helped to free Aoba, Aoba tried to reassure the Tsuchikage that it wouldn't be easy to get information out of Yamato but the Tsuchikage stated that Tobi possessed a very powerful dōjutsu and as such it wasn't a matter or whether or not Yamato wanted to divulge the alliance's intelligence. Aoba later marvelled at the Tsuchikage as he carried the entire island to Kumogakure.

Shinobi World War Arc

Aoba speaks to Inoichi after returning from the island.

Aoba later joined up with the Intelligence Division and reported to Inoichi Yamanaka the events that took place during the mission, to which Inoichi remarked that Aoba did not have an easy time while on his mission.

Movies

Naruto 5: Blood Prison

During Naruto's flashback to the members of the village when he was gathering natural energy to enter Sage Mode, Aoba can been seen amongst the villagers.